Dollar Defense, Stalled Stellantis, & Borderline Tense
Good morning! ☀️
Buckle up—it’s a wild ride in supply chain land today. President-elect Trump is back at it, threatening BRICS nations (think China, Russia, Brazil, and pals) with 100% tariffs if they dare ditch the US dollar. Meanwhile, over at Stellantis, CEO Carlos Tavares hit the eject button after months of drama and a 40% stock plunge. And north of the border, Canada is flexing its muscles with beefed-up security measures following Trudeau’s face-off with Trump.
From shifting currencies to leadership shake-ups and tightened borders, today’s updates prove there’s no such thing as “smooth sailing” in logistics. Let’s dive in! 🚛🌍
“Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.”
Tariffs, Trade, and Trouble? Let’s Talk BRICS
President-elect Trump is making waves again, threatening 100% tariffs on BRICS nations (think China, Russia, Brazil, and more) if they ditch the US dollar for a new rival currency. His message? "They can go find another sucker."
While some say this is a bold negotiation tactic, history shows tariffs don’t just hit "the other guy." Economists argue the real cost lands on US companies and, ultimately, consumers. Yep, that’s you and me.
💡 Why It Matters for Logistics: Global trade is our lifeline. If these tariffs stick, we’re looking at disrupted supply chains, higher shipping costs, and potential trade slowdowns. Retaliation from BRICS countries? Even messier for freight, ports, and delivery.
🔥 Hot Take: Playing tariff hardball is risky. Short-term wins might come at the cost of long-term supply chain stability—and consumers will feel it.
Stellantis CEO Resigns Amid Struggles and Shareholder Tensions
Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, resigned following months of internal tension and a 40% drop in company shares this year. A significant profit warning, poor sales in the U.S., and bloated inventories led to major leadership changes, but Tavares remained at the helm—until now.
Dealers have voiced frustration, with some seeing Tavares' departure as a relief. Major shareholders like the Agnelli family are calling for fresh ideas to guide the company forward. The interim leadership will now focus on rebuilding trust and stabilizing the business, especially in the competitive U.S. market.
💡 Why This Matters to Us in Logistics: Stellantis is a huge player in vehicle manufacturing, and any hiccups in production or inventory management affect freight and shipping schedules. We could see shifts in production volumes, new bottlenecks, and potential changes in market share that impact logistics strategies.
🔥 Hot Take: When automakers hit a roadblock, logistics can feel the shake-up. Stay agile, because market shifts can change freight volumes and routes quicker than you can blink!
Canada Ramps Up Border Security Amid Tariff Threats
Canada is ramping up border security after Prime Minister Trudeau's recent meeting with President-elect Trump. With Trump raising concerns about migrants and drug smuggling—and even threatening tariffs—Canada’s response includes more visible measures like drones, police helicopters, and additional border personnel. Both sides seem committed to working together, but this could mean big changes for cross-border trade.
💡 Why This Matters to Us: Tighter borders = slower freight. Increased inspections and security measures could lead to processing delays and disrupt the flow of billions in goods across the U.S.-Canada trade corridor. On top of that, potential tariff policies could shift shipping patterns, adding more uncertainty to supply chains.
🔥 Hot Take: While stricter rules aim to curb smuggling, they can also create bottlenecks for legit freight. It’s a good time for logistics teams to double-check their contingency plans—because when borders slow, supply chains feel the squeeze.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for December 20, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.